LOST IN TRANSLATION BY ELLA FRANCES SANDERS

“

As World Book Day approaches  I would like to recommend you one of the most original, clever and tender books I have read recently: “Lost in Translation: An Illustrated Compendium of Untranslatable Words“, written by Ella Frances Sanders.

Ella Frances Sanders is a writer and illustrator, who currently lives and works in London. She describes herself as “a writer out of necessity and an illustrator by accident“.

Her book “Lost in Translation” is an artistic collection of more than 50 beautifully illustrated words that don’t have a direct translation in other languages.

These poignant words poetically express certain emotions and unique feelings like “finding beauty in the imperfections” or  “the sunlight that filters through the leaves of the trees”.

This dictionary of untranslatable words book is the perfect gift for any traveler (Did you know that there’s a Swedish word that means a traveller’s particular sense of anticipation before a trip?).

As the title says, there are some words that can’t be fitted into a one word definition in any language but their own.

It is such a fun book for the whole family! And at the same time, it can move you to tears as you realize the beauty and richness of all the cultures and languages of our small world.

There are some words that I hope to move into my permanent vocabulary. I wish you all that you feel “commuovere” when you read a book, that you can find “wabi-sabi” in your daily life and that your days are filled with  “kilig”.  

“All the photos in this post have been reprinted with permission from Lost in Translation by Ella Frances Sanders, copyright (c) 2014. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Random House LLC.